Upgrade to the __tier_name__

You’re attempting to view exclusive content only for members in the __tier_name__.

Upgrade to the __tier_name__

You’re attempting to view exclusive content only for members in the __tier_name__.

Outdoor Vitals

3 Secrets To Sleeping Better Outdoors

Camping Doesn't Mean Discomfort Anymore

If you’ve ever “slept” in the backcountry and woke up feeling more wrecked than rested—this is for you.


Because here’s the truth most backpackers & campers never hear:


Most people are doing it wrong.

And it’s not their fault.


They’re bringing the wrong gear. Trusting the wrong advice.

And worst of all… they’re ignoring their most important recovery tool.


Sleep.

Poor Sleep - It's NOT Part Of "Roughing It"

The outdoors should be rejuvenating. 


Disconnecting to spend time outside is meant to be helpful physically, emotionally, & mentally. 


But WITHOUT these 3 secrets, your time outdoors may look like this:


You hike all day. Climb steep grades. Haul a pack. Burn thousands of calories.

But when night hits?

- You toss.
- You shift.
- You wake up 8 times trying to get comfortable.

Why? Because you’re still trying to “rough it.”

That old mindset is killing your recovery AND your drive to go camping again...

"Now more than ever, things keep us from getting outside, yet now more than ever, we need to get outside."  

-Tayson, Founder of Outdoor Vitals

Secret #1: Use A Camping Pillow (Yes, Really)

Real Hikers Bring Pillows - Just Better Ones

You might think rolling up your jacket or using a stuff sack is “good enough.”

But here’s the hard truth:


Every night you skip a real pillow, your body pays for it.


Your neck is unsupported. Your spine misaligned. Your REM sleep gets broken by micro-adjustments all night.


And you wake up more tired, more sore, and more frustrated.



This is the most overlooked part of the sleep system—and it has the biggest impact on actual rest.

What to do:

Use a purpose-built pillow that actually stays in place, flexes with your head, and weighs next to nothing.


You wouldn't go hiking without shoes, right?


You ALSO wouldn't sleep without a pillow at home - so why would you go without one in the outdoors? 

Doing so is simply asking for poor sleep. 



The Outdoor Vitals Ultralight Stretch Pillow weighs just 2.6 oz, uses stretch nylon that feels like home, and grips your pad so it doesn’t slip out from under you at 2 a.m.


You can’t get true recovery sleep without proper support—especially after long miles.

And now, there’s zero reason not to carry it.


$13.97$27.97
Regular (all positions)Elevated (side sleepers)
2


Secret #2: Understand Sleeping Bag Comfort Ratings

"20 Degrees" Doesn't Mean The Same Thing To Everyone

Most sleeping bags lie to you.

Well… not intentionally. But they’re often misunderstood.


When a bag says it’s rated to 20°F, it doesn’t ALWAYS mean you’ll be comfortable at 20°F.

SOME ratings mean you’ll survive—not sleep soundly.


That number is typically the lower limit, not the comfort rating.

So if you’re shivering and layering up inside your “20-degree bag” at 35°, it’s not your fault—it’s the rating system.

What to do:

Look for the EN/ISO Comfort Rating, not just the lower limit.


Companies like Outdoor Vitals ONLY use comfort ratings, so you can be more confident in the comfort levels with our sleeping bags & quilts. 


But not all companies use the same rating system - it's something you'll have to watch for. 



Additionally, you can build a sleep system that’s slightly warmer than you think you need—because temps drop fast in the backcountry, especially at elevation.


One of the FIRST areas you start to feel cold while sleeping outside is your feet. 

Bringing along something like down booties to use alongside your sleeping bag for warmth can drastically improve the quality of your sleep at night. 

These booties are built using a blend of down insulation & synthetic insulation mixed together. 

The synthetic insulation stabilizes the down so that overall the booties stay warm & lofted even when wet. 


That means you can count on warm feet at night no matter what misadventures befall you during the day!

They weigh just oz, so having them along with you on your adventures is well worth the difference they make in how well you sleep.

$49.97$49.97
SmallMediumLargeXL
Charcoal
4


Secret #3: You MUST Have An Insulated Sleeping Pad

The Best Sleeping Bag In The World Can't Fix This For You...

Your sleeping bag can’t save you if you’re bleeding heat into the ground all night.


Here’s what most campers don’t realize:

The cold you feel at 2 a.m. isn’t air—it’s coming from below.


The ground pulls heat from your body like a sponge.

And if your pad isn’t insulated (or rated for the temps), it doesn’t matter how expensive your bag is—you’re going to freeze.


This one mistake ruins more nights outdoors than anything else.

What to do:

Check the R-value of your pad. If it’s below 3.5 and you’re camping in cooler temps, you’re losing heat fast.

Upgrade to a lightweight, insulated pad designed to stop heat loss from the ground up.


Additionally, you can invest in a 1/8" Closed Cell Foam Pad to enhance your main sleeping pad's insulating abilities AND prevent it from sliding around your tent at night. 

Often the inflatable variety of insulated pads can be a bit slippery on your tent's floor.  This affects your sleep by making it hard to control where you lay. 


If the ground beneath your tent is uneven, an inflatable pad can easily slide to one side or the other. 



Using a foam pad like this one from Outdoor Vitals won't weigh you down (it's only an oz or 2) but will grip both your main sleeping pad AND your tent floor to make sure you can bed down right where you want to. 

Not only does this pad help stabilize your main sleeping pad, but it ALSO gives you more insulation - keeping you a bit warmer at night. 

You can use this lightweight foam pad as a sit pad for lunch during the day, a yoga mat, or as a place to kneel while setting up your tent!

$19.97$19.97
Short - 20"x40"Regular - 20"x60"
2

Bottom Line

Getting a full night of quality sleep outdoors isn’t about luck—it’s about having the right system in place.


If you’re constantly waking up cold, uncomfortable, or unrested, chances are one of these three pieces is missing or misunderstood:


- An insulated sleeping pad to block heat loss from the ground

- A sleeping bag with an accurate comfort rating (not just a survival temp)

- And yes—a real camping pillow that supports your head and neck through the night


Dialing in these three components can make the difference between a frustrating night and a fully recharged morning on trail.


If better sleep is on your checklist this season, these 3 areas are the easiest place to start.



Sleep well. Hike farther. Enjoy more


Get EXTRA 10% Off When You Buy the Whole Better Sleep Bundle